Home » Poems » Duke Beaufort » they've ruined everything

Notes About The Poem

Chemical and fossil fuel companies know that only about 10% of plastic gets recycled. Much plastic degrades into micro-sized particles, which enter the food chain and end up contaminating everything and affecting everyone's health. While the producers make money by the ton, they take no responsibility for making Earth a dump and are planning to increase output. We use their products and believe their are no hidden costs to us or the environment. All kidding aside:

they've ruined everything

Fantastic firms aka looters
Make polymers and are polluters
Their products break down
Spread all over town
They even serve plastic at Hooters

betrayalfoodmoneyobituarytruthlimerick

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Brian Sambourne

March 30, 2024 at 5:51 PM

A thought provoking message here, Bill. Our world is crushed with plastic waste. The water bottles so universally consumed are another lunacy when tap water in the US + Canada is perfectly sound. Thank you for this environmentally thoughtful poem. Be well. Brian

Duke Beaufort

February 12, 2025 at 7:19 AM

Thanks Brian. We can't keep using the Earth as a dump without incurring a massive account debt with Mother Nature. Time for payback is getting closer, and Mars seems a bit far off as an escape plan.

Silent One

March 2, 2024 at 6:03 AM

Very true my friend and this is the case in all our natural resources, be it air, water or earth... you can see the effects, but some say we have been melting since the beginning of time....

Duke Beaufort

March 2, 2024 at 8:25 AM

Yes Silent One, humans will become extinct at some point. However, we don't need to accelerate that process or bring it about on our own. The environment has not always been suitable for us and it will not always sustain us as certain things occur. But we could have a billion year reign if we behave properly.

Jennifer Proxenos

March 1, 2024 at 10:36 AM

Hi Duke, Plastics have polluted and ruined our oceans and murdered much of our marine life big firms, big names that produce plastics are just disinterested at the end of the day when they see their bank balance going up. So what if people get sick, so what if they die. Have you seen the film Don't Look Up, the money spinners get their just deserves - mankind is on a self destruction path, I enjoyed the ending. Hope the wealthy read this poem especially those that produce plastics. Hugs, Jenn

Duke Beaufort

March 1, 2024 at 1:41 PM

Jennifer, I did see that film. It explores the same idea in much greater detail and with some sad accuracy. The only hope I see is thru education. When enough people know and vote the idea that our planet has vulnerabilities, we might see things start to change a bit faster. We are definitely not on a good trajectory right now.

Cecilia Macfarlane

February 28, 2024 at 7:47 PM

Duke, a clever but sad limerick. Unfortunately too many people have their heads in the sand and others just don’t care. Hugs

Duke Beaufort

February 29, 2024 at 7:58 AM

All true. I think if our leaders were not in the pockets of the industry lobby, we would be hearing a very different message. I think people would respond appropriately if they really understood the issue facing us. I sure hope so.

Vijay Pandit

February 28, 2024 at 7:01 AM

A potent message you delivered, Duke. Hope the world heeds your warning.

Duke Beaufort

February 28, 2024 at 10:36 AM

Vijay, thanks. From what I have seen, it's going to take a lot of change in leadership in order for us to survive over the long term. But we keep trying to increase the message prominence.

Daniel Henry Rodgers

February 28, 2024 at 5:42 AM

Dear Duke, Your poem hit hard. Loved the clever wordplay on "fantastic firms/looters." The plastic imagery is powerful, especially the Hooters line! It's a punch to the gut, but with a touch of dark humor. Keep channeling that frustration and wit! - Blessings, Daniel

Duke Beaufort

February 28, 2024 at 10:57 AM

Daniel, glad you liked this. Yes, the point I was trying to make was that the plastic has reached the common man who is just trying to have a good time. It's everywhere. However, there's no point crying over spilled milk. We have to keep hammering away.

Lin Lane

February 28, 2024 at 5:07 AM

You serve a serious message at your table, Duke. It's reinforced with the visual you provided. An excellent Limerick!

Duke Beaufort

February 28, 2024 at 11:14 AM

Thanks Lin. I like the way you addressed this. It is very serious, and I am disappointed when I think that we have a society in denial. We just have to keep spreading the word and not the toxins!

Karen Jones

February 27, 2024 at 9:22 PM

I thought your hooters line was hilarious! Lol

Duke Beaufort

February 28, 2024 at 11:41 AM

Thank-you Karen...It was called for in part by the rhymes available, but also because these things apply to all of us and affect people everywhere any time they ingest food or drink.

Hilda Greenhough

February 27, 2024 at 7:07 PM

Nice limerick, except hooters. Every woman hates hooters. But the poem is about pollution. Back to subject. I'm not a lover of plastic. I wish I had an option for glass, and I'd choose it This is a valuable and informative poem. Good words to earth.

Duke Beaufort

February 28, 2024 at 12:01 PM

Thanks Hilda. I can understand why you hate that place. The food is terrible! lol! We miss glass milk bottles and all the old packaging that was really recyclable. The stuff we use now because it's cheap is really more costly in the long run, but it's hard for us to take a long view sorry to say.

Bill Baker

February 27, 2024 at 5:26 PM

Good message in another fine limerick, my friend. Thanks for getting the message out. Bill

Duke Beaufort

February 27, 2024 at 5:55 PM

Bill, I like you am trying. Our home (earth) is a beautiful place and would recover if we could stop spoiling it. It could take a complete rethinking of how we live, and that seems like a bridge way in the distance. Thanks for reading!!!!

Sotto Poet

February 27, 2024 at 4:06 PM

Duke, your eloquent words on the detrimental effects of plastic degradation and its impact on the environment and human health are truly insightful. It is alarming to see the lack of accountability from producers who prioritize profit over the well-being of our planet. Their intention to ramp up production will only exacerbate the already dire situation.

Duke Beaufort

February 27, 2024 at 5:53 PM

SP, it is completely outrageous, but our lawmakers won't do anything meaningful to stop this march to environmental destruction. When I go back to college reunions, I usually speak to the professors of earth science. They are even more alarmed than I. We can only do our own little part to try to change the direction we're going.

Jan Allison

February 27, 2024 at 3:28 PM

so well said Duke, there is a charity here called beach buddies that tries to dela with waste on the beach but nothing can be done about micro particles - MAN has so much to answer for:-( hugs Jan xx

Duke Beaufort

February 27, 2024 at 4:52 PM

Jan, you are so right. We are in a great extinction and if we are not careful, it could include Homo sapiens. And the plastic pollution is only one part of the damage inflicted on this planet for profit.

they've ruined everything

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